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Arm Lift – Brachioplasty

HOW TO TREAT SKIN LAXITY?

The treatment for each of these is different. Upper arm or upper inner thigh bulging due to excessive localized fat accumulation can be dealt with using suction assisted liposculpture (liposuction), without the need for removing any excess skin. On the other hand, excessive laxity of the upper arm or inner thigh skin requires surgical removal of the excess skin. For example, to determine whether a patient requires these operations the arm is raised at level with the shoulder, with the palm facing down, and the amount of hanging skin in the upper arm, i.e. between the shoulder and the elbow is assessed and outlined. Whether a patient is a suitable candidate for a thigh lift depends on how much laxity exists and how much of an aesthetic deformity it has created. Often times these operations are carried out for the purpose of eliminating “friction” between the thighs or between the arms and chest, which can result in skin break-down and chronic irritation and infection. Therefore these operations are not considered purely cosmetic, but functional as well. There are many different techniques for these procedures.

However, through extensive experience, Dr. Abrams has developed unique techniques that yield the most satisfactory results.

BRACHIOPLASTY OR ARM LIFT

The procedures known as “Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)”, “Thigh Lift (Thigh-plasty)”, and “Body Lift (Torsoplasty)” are done to tighten/eliminate looseness and laxity of the skin in the upper arm, upper inner thigh, torso (around the waste line), and chest/back areas, or to eliminate excessive bulging.

WHAT CAUSES LAXITY OF SKIN

Laxity of the skin in these areas is usually a result of massive weight loss (MWL), either after extensive dieting and exercise, or after pregnancy, or after bariatric surgery; while excessive bulging is a result of localized fat accumulation in the presence of taut skin. One of the most common reasons for performing these operations at the present time is redundancy as a result of MWL after bariatric surgery (surgery for the purpose of weight loss, e.g. gastric bypass or Lap-Band).